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With the abundance of online therapy platforms available, it can be hard to make a decision as to which one suits you best. MyTherapist is just one of the plethora of such platforms. So, we dive into how it works and why it may be a good fit for you (or not)
What Is MyTherapist?
MyTherapist is a relatively new online counseling platform. Established in 2017, the platform is owned and operated by BetterHelp, a more popular e-counseling service that has been around for much longer.
MyTherapist is rather popular due to its simplicity and quality of service. Its operation model is simple and more straightforward than that of most platforms, making it a destination for users who have not had luck elsewhere.
What Services Do They Offer?
MyTherapist therapy is conducted via various channels. To encourage accessibility, the company offers four counseling services described below.
Messaging Therapy
This service allows you to exchange messages back and forth with your counselor. When you subscribe to the service, you’re invited into a private chat room where your conversations will take place.
The chat room is secured for you to safely discuss your issues with the counselor. Although messaging is not in real-time, your counselor responds when they see the message. The chat room is open 24/7, but you don’t have to stay logged in all day to know when the counselor responds. You’ll get notified via email when there’s a response.
Live Chats
Because there might be a lag between your message and the counselor’s response, you might prefer live chats that give instant responses. To get quick feedback, you have to schedule a live chat session. During these, you’ll be online at the same time as your counselor and get immediate responses.
All messages exchanged during a session are accessible afterward. You can always go back and reflect on the guidance you received. If you’d like, you can set your account to trash messages after each session. This is especially important if you’re concerned about privacy.
Live Counseling Sessions
Counseling over video gives the advantage of non-verbal cues that are synonymous with traditional therapy. It also gives the convenience of remote access and scheduling convenience.
When you sign up for face-to-face counseling at MyTherapist, you’re required to discuss availability with your counselor. At the scheduled time, all you need to do is log into your account and join the live counseling session.
Phone Counseling
This mode of counseling is less intrusive than the face-to-face alternative. However, it gives more allowance for detailed conversations. You have to schedule a specific time for a phone call.
To protect your privacy, MyTherapist does not share your phone number with the counselor. When you log into your account at the scheduled time, the system will ask for your phone number and connect you with your counselor.
Who Are MyTherapist Therapists, And How Good Are They?
According to the company website, all counselors have advanced qualifications in various areas of therapy. They have the necessary licenses, certifications, and experience to provide counseling.
Some of the qualifications listed on the website, and their meanings include:
▪ Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
▪ Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
▪ Accredited Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
▪ Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
Which Issues Do They Treat?
This online counseling platform covers all areas of online therapy. Their panel of counselors is experienced in addressing different mental health issues, including:
According to the company website, their services are not just limited to mental health issues. They specialize in helping users improve their overall quality of life. They can help overcome any issues that get in the way of your happiness or prevent you from reaching your ultimate goals.
There are some services that the platform does not offer. If you’re experiencing any of the following issues, you may have to seek help elsewhere:
▫ Thoughts of self-harm
▫ Urgent crises or emergencies
▫ Severe mental illness diagnosis
▫ Court-ordered counseling
▫ Are a minor or under the care of a legal guardian
The MyTherapist website redirects users facing an urgent crisis to emergency helplines that can offer immediate attention.
MyTherapist Subscription Plans and Pricing
MyTherapist online therapy has a simple and affordable pricing structure: $65 per week, charged on a monthly basis. This fee entitles you to all modes of counseling and an unlimited number of sessions. When you subscribe with this flat fee, you choose to get messaging, live chat, phone, or video counseling. You can also use a combination of counseling methods depending on your specific needs at a given time.
The platform does not take insurance at the moment. However, a quick comparison shows that the cost of the service is comparable to most co-pays associated with traditional counseling providers. When you factor in the convenience and cost savings guaranteed by not having a commute, MyTherapy is more affordable than in-person therapy.
How Does MyTherapist Work?
To sign up at MyTherapist, you must be at least 18 years old. The process has three steps, and it is rather quick, but you should keep in mind that if you want to register, you’ll be redirected to Betterhelp.com.
Step 1 – Create a MyTherapist Profile
When you head over to the platform’s homepage and click on the “Get Started” button, you get a form to fill out and create a profile. Some of the information collected at this stage is:
It is a good idea to be completely honest while filling out the form. The answers you give will only be accessible to your therapist to help them provide sufficient guidance during therapy.
Step 2 – Create an Account
After filling out the form, you’ll create an account. You can sign in via Facebook, or use your Google Account. You don’t have to use your real name or give an email address associated with your identity. However, whichever email address you choose should be one you regularly access, It is important because notifications will be sent to the email you signed up with.
MyTherapist will never request any information that could reveal your identity. Your therapist is not required to know such information either. So, your identity on the platform is anonymous and this is part of the company’s robust privacy policy.
Step 3 – Choose a Therapist
Based on the feedback you provided in the questionnaire, MyTherapist presents you with a list of counselors that are suited to your condition. You’re free to choose the one you prefer. When you do, you’ll get a series of questions that helps the counselor better understand your needs.
The success of your counseling sessions depends on whether you and the counselor are a good match. If your first choice of the therapist wasn’t a good fit, MyTherapist allows you to change. The process is quite simple as all you have to do is select the “change counselor” button on your account dashboard. It might take up to two days for the change to reflect on your account.
Privacy Policy
The online counseling platform takes privacy seriously. Some of the measures put in place to protect your privacy include:
▪ Confidentiality policy adhered to by all counselors
▪ No sharing of information with third parties
▪ “Shred” button to get rid of individual messages so that they don’t show in your account
▪ 256-bit encryption for all messages shared with your counselor
▪ SSL encryption for browsers in line with modern practices
▪ Encrypted databases to ensure your personal information is safe from malicious access.
Conversely, the platform makes an exception if you want your records shared with a third party. In special circumstances, your counselor sends an authorization form for you to fill and sign. This form gives permission for your details to be shared with third parties of your choice.
Verdict
MyTherapist is a good match for you if:
▪ You’re looking to improve your overall quality of life
▪ You’re dealing with moderate mental health issues
▪ You have a reliable internet connection
The platform is not suitable for:
▪ Severe conditions
▪ Emergencies
▪ Court-mandated counseling
That said, it is worth noting that this online counseling platform is easy to access and has a very straightforward process, although some app users reported they have difficulties while registering and logging in. From the MyTherapist reviews on the website, the counselors seem experienced and many users find the service satisfactory.
The disadvantage of using this counseling service is that you don’t get to choose a different subscription plan as only one type is offered.
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